Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Challenge #216 - Anything Goes

Welcome everyone! Can you believe that this is our final challenge of 2015? When we return next week, we will be announcing our new (and VERY exciting) sponsors for 2016. You will be as excited as we are once you learn of all the wonderful things God is doing here at Word Art Wednesday, and we invite EVERYONE to be a part of it. But for right now, let's get started with Challenge #216 - our last challenge of the year with two wonderful 2015 sponsors.This week's word art/scripture is 1 Corinthians 6:20, and it says "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's". The first part "for ye are bought with a price" tells us that the blood shed by Jesus Christ on the cross was paid as a ransom (by the love of God in Christ Jesus) for our redemption. While God took OUR obligation for the punishment for our sins, He left us with a new obligation to be obedient to Him. So, if we accept Jesus Christ as our way to God (and we accept His payment for our sins); we MUST also accept the fact that He is now our King. And as our King, He FULLY has the right to demand our obedience as He rules over us. This simply means that we can't deny God the right to demand obedience from us, and we can axpect to be chastened (punished) when we don't. By accepting the gift He has given us through Jesus Christ, we automatically acknowledge this debt of obedience to Him; and we should want to do it willingly and with a right spirit (not ever with a bad attitude). By allowing God to control our body and our spirit, we honor our King - the One who paid a very high price for us because He loves us so very much. Here's a cold hard fact, my friends.....there is absolute truth that exists in this world. "All roads (DON'T) lead to Heaven", so don't beileve it when Hollywood tells you that "we all take different paths, but they all lead to Heaven". Those are LIES from the enemy (Satan). Absolute truth dictates that because we are born sinful, we CANNOT and WILL NOT get to Heaven on our own accord. There is a price that must be paid, and there is nothing we can do, in and of ourselves, to satisfy that debt. God knew this; and because He loves us, He provided a way to satisfy that debt. There had to be a PERFECT, SINLESS sacrifice. The ONLY way was for God to satisfy that debt Himself. He chose to satisfy our debt by coming to Earth in human flesh to shed His perfect sinless blood in atonement for our sins. Let's each go into this new year making a conscious effort to practice obedience and submission to our King for the wonderful gift He has given us in Jesus Christ. Your year will surely be off to a great start by making this effort. This is our prayer for everyone, and if you have any questions; please don't ever hesitate to let us know. May God bless you all as we head into this new year together.As always, you are welcome to save this week's free scripture/word art file to your computer, but are not required to use it in order to play along in our challenges. We welcome you share your art with us; remembering that Anything Goes as long as it's family-friendly, and uses an encouraging or uplifting sentiment. This includes any type of altered or digital art (not just limited to cards). You may link up to five (5) projects each week. The more you enter, the more you increase your odds of winning. It is our desire that God's Word will be a blessing and encouragement to you each week. If you have any questions about the rules, be sure to read the complete list of rules under our page tab for "Challenge Rules". Because our ultimate goal is to honor God, we have no other choice but to delete any entries that do not adhere to our guidelines. Let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for your understanding and participation!

Here is this week's word art. We hopethat it will be a blessing to you.

Here are this week's AMAZING sponsors:

Verses Rubber Stamps is a WONDERFULstamp store, and one lucky personwill win $20 in wood or cling stamps.AND

Fresh Brewed Designs is an ADORABLEdigital shop, and one lucky person willwin three (3) images of choice from thisWONDERFUL digital shop.AND NOW, More Lucky Winners!!!!

Happy New Year 2016~! Thank you DT for your lovely work - you all did a nice job on creating for the inspiration - thanks for another challenge and happy dance to the winners - the devotional was inspiring as usual

Thank you for a wonderful devotional, and for the fantastic inspiration from the Design Team and Autumn and Birgit, your wonderful December's Guest Designers. Thank you for choosing to list my card as one of the Top 3! I am thrilled and so honored! I am happy to say my friend and her family loved the card as well! Hugs and Blessings to you! I would love to display your badge on my blog!